iTunes Canada - June 15th too? [Archive]

RealityMonster

Jun 6, 2004, 06:34 PM

It would be nice but at the same time I don't understand the canadains complaining about Europe before them. Population of Europe 400million, population of Canada 30million. Just think about it.
Absolutely true. However, Canada has a lot of things going for it from Apple's perspective.

1) We're a hugely wired country. Lots of people have broadband.
2) Per capita, Canadians download (illegally) a lot of music. That's a lot of people that might be willing to end their wicked ways.
3) We're close to American pop culture. Music that sells Stateside should sell pretty well here, too.

gekko513

Jun 6, 2004, 07:11 PM

One source provides evidence that iTunes Canada will also launch alongside iTunes Europe on June 15th.
What kind of evidence? And if it's actually evidence, why is this just a page 2?

Macmaniac

Jun 6, 2004, 07:49 PM

I really Apple does this, Canada has been waiting too long.
The next two-three weeks are going to be insane with products i hope:)

Jim_N_Tonik

Jun 6, 2004, 09:11 PM

2) Per capita, Canadians download (illegally) a lot of music. That's a lot of people that might be willing to end their wicked ways.

The problem here is that it's actually legal for us to share music, so there shouldn't be as much incentive to switch. We're already paying the levy, so why pay more to get it from iTunes when limewire will work just as well?

Regardless, I really hope iTunes opens up in Canada soon, I think that it would do pretty well.

- Jim

iBook

Jun 6, 2004, 10:12 PM

How's this for a co-marketing campaign?

Buy a dozen doughnuts from Tim Horton's, get a free tune.

ingenious

Jun 6, 2004, 10:19 PM

OK people its wwdc month.

A mjor rumor each day untill wwdc :)

good news, lets hope its true.

After canada and europe, what would he next move likely be?

Japan?!?! :rolleyes:

Trowaman

Jun 6, 2004, 11:37 PM

Japan?!?! :rolleyes:

Drat, beat me too it.

I would suspect other Eurpoean countries will be waiting to join in as well. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Germany (They're out on the first three correct?)

but yeah definatly Japan, THEY HAVE A FLAGSHIP STORE*!!!!

*flagship store does not contain music for purchase, sorry.

Windowlicker

Jun 7, 2004, 02:14 AM

don't live in canada, but as an european citizen I know how it feels to wait for these great apple products..

now the only thing I really hope for the itms is that the price tag wouldn't be 1,29..

DJY

Jun 7, 2004, 02:18 AM

I think once they have Europe up and running - they should focus on Australia...

think BIG Apple - think conquering continents...
ok - I appreciate we are only a small market - and a long way away...
but we really really want iTMS!

Shagrat

Jun 7, 2004, 04:47 AM

killmoms

Jun 7, 2004, 09:17 AM

If anything, I hope the iTMS makes it to Japan, and I hope Japan's catalog is available to State-side folks (or European/Canadian/whatever-ian folks). Mmmm, J-Pop and anime music goodness.

--Cless

SeanMcg

Jun 7, 2004, 10:41 AM

Sadly I think ITMS for Europe, or more specifically in the UK (Hey I live here, so why shouldn't I complain about the wait), may be too little (or rather too much, in terms of price) and too late. Apple has always seemed to care little for any other market apart from the US, and consequently has a very small profile over here.
...
Well, we'll have to wait and see, but if we wait too much longer, ITMS europe will probably just be an also-ran.

I would contend that any business will focus their resources on the areas that will bring the greatest return on investment. In this case, they had to make a decision on how many armies of lwayers to deal with at a time, RIAA or all of their equivalents in Europe and elsewhere. Proving the concept in a country that has the resources to support it will only make their negotiations easier.

As for too little, too late: if this article (http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2004/06/07/londonevent/) at MacCentral is right, then there is a large built-in base of people in the UK waiting for ITMS because of iPod compatibility.

morespce54

Jun 7, 2004, 11:27 AM

What a hellova good news!...
It's about time (before it's too late for the market share :) )!!!

The 15th would be awsome 'cause it's also the release date for the new B-Boys' album!!!!

jettredmont

Jun 7, 2004, 11:51 AM

After canada and europe, what would he next move likely be?

Sub-saharan Africa! Come on, you gotta give music to sub-saharan Africa!!!

Seriously, it would be logical by population to target Asia in general, Japan and China in particular, next. China's a bit of a sore spot to the music (and movie) industry, though, so I don't know how soon that would happen, if ever. But Japan would be the next biggie.

topicolo

Jun 7, 2004, 02:58 PM

The problem here is that it's actually legal for us to share music, so there shouldn't be as much incentive to switch. We're already paying the levy, so why pay more to get it from iTunes when limewire will work just as well?

Regardless, I really hope iTunes opens up in Canada soon, I think that it would do pretty well.

- Jim

actually, it's legal for us to leech, but not to upload

Savage Henry

Jun 7, 2004, 03:06 PM

I find all this hard to belive that they would promote these two major services on the same day on different sides of the planet suffering different time zones. Very hard to belive indeed ....

... but I've been wrong before.

wdlove

Jun 7, 2004, 03:50 PM

For all of our friends to the North in Canada, I hope that they will have the iTMS also. It will be quit a coupe for Steve if he can release both the same day. :)

bob_the_gorilla

Jun 7, 2004, 04:56 PM

Sadly I think ITMS for Europe, or more specifically in the UK (Hey I live here, so why shouldn't I complain about the wait), may be too little (or rather too much, in terms of price) and too late. Apple has always seemed to care little for any other market apart from the US, and consequently has a very small profile over here.
I think Apple wil have a big fight on it's hands if it is going to match the success that ITMS has had in the States, especially if the prices are as the rumours suggest.

Well, we'll have to wait and see, but if we wait too much longer, ITMS europe will probably just be an also-ran.

Apple don't put the effort in, because there's less profit to be had. Therefore, they make less profit.... Vicious cycle.

I really, really want to be wrong, but I agree with you - too little, too late.

clith

Jun 7, 2004, 08:46 PM

Will there be a new version of iTunes to escalate the FairPlay war? I hope not. I want to excercise my fair use rights, which should be illegal to sign away.

Dessert Whip

Jun 7, 2004, 10:43 PM

Wonder if we'll have that same ITMS with Canadian dollars or an ITMSC with the Canadian content right up front, eh? er... y'all.

hvfsl

Jun 8, 2004, 06:08 AM

blue&whiteman

Jun 8, 2004, 06:29 AM

I didn't release that there was that few people in Canada, there are 60million in the UK alone.

the reason canada has so few people even though its the 2nd largest nation in land size is that much of the northern land there in unlivable. only Eskimo's really have the skills to live that far north. a good chunk of canada's land is above the arctic circle.

Zaty

Jun 8, 2004, 06:48 AM

According to AI, Steve Jobs has confirmed the launch of iTMS Europe on June 15. However, Canada was not mentioned.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484

Canuck Blue

Jun 8, 2004, 06:02 PM

macnews

Jun 10, 2004, 11:21 AM

It would be nice to launch Canada with Europe. With other services in both areas, Apple needs to get its butt going. They lost the McD's promo, were not the first major legal download in Europe or Canada. I'm sure they can still win the hearts and minds as the ipod is just red hot all over - but wait too much longer and the ipod sales may drop off outside the US if they can't sync their music. And please don't flame me - I'm sure there are ways around like buring a CD and re-ripping to MP3, but most people don't want that trouble. That is what makes iTunes/iPod so nice - it is easily seemless.

fartheststar

Jun 10, 2004, 12:24 PM

the reason canada has so few people even though its the 2nd largest nation in land size is that much of the northern land there in unlivable. only Eskimo's really have the skills to live that far north. a good chunk of canada's land is above the arctic circle.

Yeah, I'm always amazed that UK is 1/5 the size of Quebec with 2 x as many people as our whole country. And there are STILL "C" roads in Britain and old trails that have been in existance for a long time. In Canada, if it's not paved, it "isn't" a road for the most part.

But damnit, I want iTunes here.

iGav

Jun 10, 2004, 01:22 PM

Apple don't put the effort in, because there's less profit to be had. Therefore, they make less profit.... Vicious cycle.

I disagree... the UK is the Worlds 3rd largest music market, and one of the largest consumer of iPods as well. (2nd behind the U.S.?) and as such Apple will be wanting a big share of that, and the tasty profit margins that go with selling products here.

There are reasons for Apple taking so long to deploy a European iTMS, and it can be laid squarely at the feet of the record companies.

iGav

Jun 10, 2004, 01:34 PM

Apple has always seemed to care little for any other market apart from the US, and consequently has a very small profile over here..

I don't think Apple's profile in the UK is that small actually.

aethier

Jun 10, 2004, 05:55 PM

I didn't release that there was that few people in Canada, there are 60million in the UK alone.

The reason is, who wants to live in a place where it is bloody cold in the winter which starts in november and stays until around april. and summer that is so damn hot and humid (at least in montreal, don't really know about the rest of the country)

and it would have to have french music, or it would lose out on about 90% of canada's second largest population, which is about 90% of is french 7% english and the rest like chinese and stuff. granted french people listen to american music, we still have a lot of good french music.

aethier

ingenious

Jun 10, 2004, 06:33 PM

According to AI, Steve Jobs has confirmed the launch of iTMS Europe on June 15. However, Canada was not mentioned.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484

Too bad for you Canadians, but great for you Euros. I'm glad Apple's finally gotten this worked out. The iTMS has been long overdue over there. Has anyone dug through iTunes 4.6 to check for mention of a Euro Music Store?

(1 Post to Avatar! :D)

aafuss1

Jun 11, 2004, 03:20 AM

I think Canada/Japan/Europe or Asia Pacific countries (perhaps Australia-where there are many Destra provided music stores, but not Apple's) should get ITMS next-see already iPhoto printing services were made available in Europe/Japan this year, it'd be logical for those two places for a ITMS launch next.

Savage Henry

Jun 11, 2004, 03:32 AM

I don't think Apple's profile in the UK is that small actually.

I concur, sir.

I've heard many unprompted casual references to the iPod from people of whom I wouldn't have thought interested.

Also, my brother, a border-line techno phobe, heard about the iTMS Eurpoe starting up on Tuesday, and totally understood it's implication on the moosic scene.

In the homeland of Jonathon Ive, I'd say Apple had good face.

bryanc

Jun 11, 2004, 03:41 PM

The reason is, who wants to live in a place where it is bloody cold in the winter which starts in november and stays until around april.

I wish! Winter starts in early October and lasts until mid May in Edmonton. And the summer is not only hot, but filled with mosquitos the size of helicopters.

Still, it's not really that bad a place to live. Great University, excellent festivals, nice-sized city (big enough to have everything one might want, but small enough not to be plagued with big-city-problems), and a good economy. It's also really nice in the fall (after the first frost kills the 'skeeters but before it starts getting cold).

But the worst thing about living in Edmonton is the lack of the iTMS! :mad:

dmbfan

Jun 11, 2004, 07:56 PM

I just saw this in a flyer....Future Shop is opening a download service tomorrow - Bonfire. Looks like it is just a rebranding of Puretracks though.

http://bonfire.puretracks.com/en/Default.aspx

naim_merchant

Jun 11, 2004, 08:10 PM

The reason is, who wants to live in a place where it is bloody cold in the winter which starts in november and stays until around april. and summer that is so damn hot and humid (at least in montreal, don't really know about the rest of the country)

and it would have to have french music, or it would lose out on about 90% of canada's second largest population, which is about 90% of is french 7% english and the rest like chinese and stuff. granted french people listen to american music, we still have a lot of good french music.

aethier

I realize the above individual is joking, but when I read that I just had to register and say something. First of all, to the individual who agrandized Edmonton, it needs to be said that Edmonton is a hole (I lived there long enough to know). On the other hand, the winters here in Vancouver get about as cold as they do in London, and last about four months at the most. There's beautiful beaches, mountains and the ocean surrounding the city and everyone speaks English. The summers aren't nearly as hot as they are in the rest of the country, and this city is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. There's also a hell of alot more to do here than Edmonton (let's be realistic buddy, there's nothing to do in Edmonton).

And I was also wondering, how will they set up the pricing for international users? Will it automatically send users to the Canada store, or will we have access to the same store and there will be some kind of currency conversion?

I wonder how they'll do it...

Na'im.

iLilana

Jun 11, 2004, 11:52 PM

The problem here is that it's actually legal for us to share music, so there shouldn't be as much incentive to switch. We're already paying the levy, so why pay more to get it from iTunes when limewire will work just as well?

Regardless, I really hope iTunes opens up in Canada soon, I think that it would do pretty well.

- Jim

I thought the levy was dumped a few months ago. I tried to figure out how much gets to the artist... apparently a significant amount was actually getting back.

Duff-Man

Jun 12, 2004, 12:12 AM

I thought the levy was dumped a few months ago. I tried to figure out how much gets to the artist... apparently a significant amount was actually getting back.Duff-Man says....when was the last time the Canadian government ever got rid of a tax/levy....it just doesn't happen...they like the $$$ too much. Apple Canada still collects the levy on iPod sales - it has not been "repealed"....oh yeah!

phantompigger

Jun 12, 2004, 09:04 AM

You know, there's being beaten to the punch, and there's just not trying at all.

Today, FutureShop.ca launches Bonfire, the third music download service available in Canada. Prices for tracks start at 99¢ CDN. Of course, it requires Windows. Here's the standard warning for those of use with Macs:

"We value our Mac audience, however the Windows Media Player for the Mac platform is not currently compatible with Microsoft protected audio content. Bonfire is currently working to make our service available to Mac users."

I no longer hold out much hope for iTMS Canada. There's three services currently available, saturating an already small market. I don't know how Apple could possibly get a foothold at this point, since there are so many alternatives for the biggest segment of the target market -- Windows users.

It's really disappointing. Licensing in Canada is nowhere near as complex as licensing in Europe. I understand that Europe is a bigger market, but I fail to see why the two could not have been built/developed at the same time.

Oh well.

freemadc

Jun 12, 2004, 12:11 PM

I no longer hold out much hope for iTMS Canada. There's three services currently available, saturating an already small market.

Actually, if you count Bonfire as a separate service, then there are currently actually four services in Canada:
-Futureshop's Bonfire (http://www.bonfire.puretracks.com)
-Puretracks (http://www.puretracks.com)
-Napster (http://www.napster.ca)
-ArchambaultZIK.ca (http://www.archambaultzik.ca) - the french language service of the large Quebec music store Archambault

Given this, there should be ZERO legal/logistical hurdles to opening ITMS Canada

iMeowbot

Jun 13, 2004, 03:59 PM

If anything, I hope the iTMS makes it to Japan, and I hope Japan's catalog is available to State-side folks (or European/Canadian/whatever-ian folks). Mmmm, J-Pop and anime music goodness.

Should be interesting to see. I've noticed that some iTMS albums are now carrying "U.S./International Version" or "U.S. Version" labels. I guess we just have to wait and see if that's to allow more than one release to be available in every market, or album availability will end up being market-specific.

noxes

Jun 13, 2004, 05:56 PM

Don't forget we have Sony's Connect in Canada, they have a deal with McDonalds now, buy a Big Mac, get a free song. However, it really just uses pureTracks.

Kevlar

Jun 13, 2004, 06:20 PM

Don't forget we have Sony's Connect in Canada, they have a deal with McDonalds now, buy a Big Mac, get a free song. However, it really just uses pureTracks.

Might have puretracks and Connect in canada...but both are PC based and Connect has already said they are not expanding to other OS's anytime soon. Who wants .wma format anyways?

Squire

Jun 13, 2004, 06:36 PM

Yeah, I've given up for the time being. (By the way, as long as you have a U.S. credit card, you can download tunes, right? Should be the same with the Canadian version when it comes out.) I made an account at Audiolunchbox.com the other day. They have a lot of good stuff.

Squire

HoserHead

Jun 13, 2004, 07:21 PM

Should be interesting to see. I've noticed that some iTMS albums are now carrying "U.S./International Version" or "U.S. Version" labels.Which have you seen like that? In a little browse through I haven't been able to find any.

freemadc

Jun 13, 2004, 07:32 PM

Don't forget we have Sony's Connect in Canada, they have a deal with McDonalds now, buy a Big Mac, get a free song. However, it really just uses pureTracks.

Yeah, I'd forgotten about Sony Connect Canada. When I checked it out, I realised that Squire was right, and that it was also using PureTracks.
What gives?

Is Sony having problems lauching Connect in Canada? Maybe they had to use PureTracks to keep their music giveaway deal with McDonalds. Maybe Connect is running into some problems of its own... Like ITMS??

Squire

Jun 13, 2004, 07:41 PM

Yeah, I'd forgotten about Sony Connect Canada. When I checked it out, I realised that Squire was right, and that it was also using PureTracks.
What gives?

Is Sony having problems lauching Connect in Canada? Maybe they had to use PureTracks to keep their music giveaway deal with McDonalds. Maybe Connect is running into some problems of its own... Like ITMS??

That was actually noxes that said that. ;) But what you say seems to make sense. Why the holdup? For that matter, I don't know what the holdup with iTMS Canada is. Throw some Tragically Hip tunes and some Celtic stuff in and let us use the service.

Squire

phantompigger

Jun 13, 2004, 08:06 PM

That was actually noxes that said that. ;) But what you say seems to make sense. Why the holdup? For that matter, I don't know what the holdup with iTMS Canada is. Throw some Tragically Hip tunes and some Celtic stuff in and let us use the service.

Squire

The delay makes no sense. It's just silly. The service could have been available by now, although I am sure it would/will have a smaller catalog of music than the US iTMS.

pitrow

Jun 13, 2004, 10:35 PM

On the other hand, the winters here in Vancouver get about as cold as they do in London, and last about four months at the most. There's beautiful beaches, mountains and the ocean surrounding the city and everyone speaks English. The summers aren't nearly as hot as they are in the rest of the country, and this city is known as one of the most beautiful in the world.
Na'im.

Nain

Please do not pass on info on how nice Vancouver is.
let it be our secret.

Bj

iMeowbot

Jun 13, 2004, 11:31 PM

Which have you seen like that? In a little browse through I haven't been able to find any.

I first noticed it on PJ Harvey, Uh Huh Her (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=14147584) - odd, since the version being sold at Amazon UK appears to be identical.

Other examples looking for version, us, uk, international etc. turn up Shania Twain, Come On Over; Paulina Rubio, Pau-Latina; Ute Lemper, But One Day...; Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim & English Chamber Orchestra, Bach: Violin Concertos (US/UK Version) ... and then I got bored with looking :D

aethier

Jun 14, 2004, 02:53 PM

I realize the above individual is joking, but when I read that I just had to register and say something. First of all, to the individual who agrandized Edmonton, it needs to be said that Edmonton is a hole (I lived there long enough to know). On the other hand, the winters here in Vancouver get about as cold as they do in London, and last about four months at the most. There's beautiful beaches, mountains and the ocean surrounding the city and everyone speaks English. The summers aren't nearly as hot as they are in the rest of the country, and this city is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. There's also a hell of alot more to do here than Edmonton (let's be realistic buddy, there's nothing to do in Edmonton).

And I was also wondering, how will they set up the pricing for international users? Will it automatically send users to the Canada store, or will we have access to the same store and there will be some kind of currency conversion?

I wonder how they'll do it...

Na'im.

For real, i wasn't joking.

anyways vancouver is a very nice city, but again, edmonton must be quite borring if there is a lot more to do in vancouver then edmonton, as compared to montréal, vancouver (aside from scenery) is quite the boring place.

anyways in case you still think i was joking in my other post, i really wasn't.

aethier

RealityMonster

Jun 14, 2004, 03:03 PM

For real, i wasn't joking.

anyways vancouver is a very nice city, but again, edmonton must be quite borring if there is a lot more to do in vancouver then edmonton, as compared to montréal, vancouver (aside from scenery) is quite the boring place.

anyways in case you still think i was joking in my other post, i really wasn't.

aethier
It just depends on what you want to do when you're in Edmonton. During the summer, there's a lot to do. We've got a huge river valley, a lot of biking trails (the biking is better here than in Calgary...you can be at a trail in 10 minutes, and you don't have to load your car up and drive anywhere to do it), a lot of festivals (more than just about anywhere else in Canada), a lot of restaurants (one of the highest per capita in North America), a lot of movie theatres (among the highest seats per capita in North America) and more live theatre than anywhere else in Canada, and possibly North America. We're home to the world's biggest mall, and it has an indoor amusement park.

If you're willing to drive a little, there's a lot of camping and lakes within a couple hours of Edmonton. Jasper is only 4 hours away, if you like road trips.

Sure, there aren't a lot of big museums here, or grand churches or anything like that, but there's lots to do in Edmonton if you're that kind of person. Most cities seem boring after you've lived in them for a while. Even Vancouver is pretty boring after you've been there a few years. If you want to drink a lot and go to a lot of clubs, definitely go to Montreal, or Vancouver, or Toronto, but don't say that there's 'nothing to do' in Edmonton. You're just not trying.

aethier

Jun 14, 2004, 03:13 PM

It just depends on what you want to do when you're in Edmonton. During the summer, there's a lot to do. We've got a huge river valley, a lot of biking trails (the biking is better here than in Calgary...you can be at a trail in 10 minutes, and you don't have to load your car up and drive anywhere to do it), a lot of festivals (more than just about anywhere else in Canada), a lot of restaurants (one of the highest per capita in North America), a lot of movie theatres (among the highest seats per capita in North America) and more live theatre than anywhere else in Canada, and possibly North America. We're home to the world's biggest mall, and it has an indoor amusement park.

If you're willing to drive a little, there's a lot of camping and lakes within a couple hours of Edmonton. Jasper is only 4 hours away, if you like road trips.

Sure, there aren't a lot of big museums here, or grand churches or anything like that, but there's lots to do in Edmonton if you're that kind of person. Most cities seem boring after you've lived in them for a while. Even Vancouver is pretty boring after you've been there a few years. If you want to drink a lot and go to a lot of clubs, definitely go to Montreal, or Vancouver, or Toronto, but don't say that there's 'nothing to do' in Edmonton. You're just not trying.

Are you sure about your festival assumption? montreal has loads of festivals also. such as the world famous Jazz festival. we have formula 1, (which was here this weekend, another win for shumacher)

Biking, lots of trails here, that are just as close (unless you want like nature trails and stuff, then just go half an hour north by car)..

lakes, nothing special to us, as we have probably the most lakes of any other region in the world, not to mention the highest concentration of fresh water lakes) if you are an outdoors type, then goto the now world known Mont Tremblanc (it has become so popular that we now have a small international airport half an hour north of it (in La Macaza) it takes airplanes from toronto, montreal, boston etc.)

cinema's, well we have loads of those too, my small city of 45000 ( i don't know if that is small to others, but to me it is) we have a 16 room cinema.

theater... i doubt edmonton is the capital for theater, probably montreal or toronto.

but you were right about the drinking and clubing thing, we have plenty of hot blonds to go around
plenty of clubs to meet them in, and plenty of bars to get drunk with them, and for our youth who starts drinking at 13-14, then we have plenty of parks for them to get drunk in without getting cought

aethier

noxes

Jun 14, 2004, 05:18 PM

So how bout that music store. :D

Dessert Whip

Jun 14, 2004, 07:14 PM

Hey, why don't you both get lives, move them to a city far away and continue your little bitch session there. We're talking about music, not playgrounds.

HoserHead

Jun 15, 2004, 06:36 AM

Well, that's twice there's been a Page 2 rumour about the Canadian iTunes Music Store without anything to show for it. Whoever keeps claiming that Apple's going to open it in Canada is obviously full of it.

Montserrat

Jun 15, 2004, 07:12 AM

Duw!
You Canadians sure are nice people. Even when you're arguing you're still relatively polite people.

Any more news on that iTunes Canada.
Apparently, we have it over here now, but I left my mac at home today :(

harzack86

Jun 15, 2004, 08:56 AM

Well, obviously, it's not there... It's European's party today, and Canadians can continue the way they used to do to download music... :(

Squire

Jun 15, 2004, 09:07 AM

Well, obviously, it's not there... It's European's party today, and Canadians can continue the way they used to do to download music... :(

Hmmm...yeah, I suppose, eh? Well, I think I'll be paying a few visits to audiolunchbox.com and eMusic.com. (eMusic has a nice promotion on right now but I had trouble making an account. Interestingly, I got an email asking why I didn't complete the registration process. "I couldn't," I replied. And they're now working on it. Cool.)

Squire

phantompigger

Jun 15, 2004, 09:51 AM

Clearly, there is not going to be an iTunes Music Store for Canada anytime soon. I mean, if you look at the lead-up to the European iTMS, Jobs and other Apple execs confirmed their intent to bring the store to market months before, making several quotes to the press that iTMS Europe would debut in 2004. Now, with the debut of the store for the UK, France and Germany, Apple has announced that a European Union store will debut in October of this year.

Nothing of that nature has been said about iTunes Canada. There have been no statements from anyone at Apple on the issue at all. The only thing we've heard is that Apple was in meetings with an agency representing Canadian songwriters in the fall of last year.

It now seems to be Apple's intention to make the contents of the US iTMS available to international users, rather than establishing a separate store (and music catalog) for each country. This could very well be the reason that it's taking so long to expand the store to other countries.

And that's too bad, really. I'd much rather have a truly Canadian version of the iTunes Music Store that showcased (and promoted) lesser-know artists in Canada, like buck 65 and Widemouth Mason. Sure, you've got the big-name exports on the American iTMS, but how much Alanis Morisette, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLaughlin and Barenaked Ladies do you really want?

-c

wdlove

Jun 15, 2004, 11:22 AM

Hopefully there will be a iTMS in Canada sooner rather than later. If Apple is in talks with artists in Canada, that is a good sign.

jimjiminyjim

Jun 15, 2004, 06:23 PM

Might there be a holdup based on wanting a certain amount of Canadian content? It would be a good thing to have significant Canadian content. Regardless, it's a little disappointing not to have a Canada release of iTunes alongside the European version. Even more disappointing is the promise to make a European Union version of iTunes, but no mention of Canada. ~sigh~

I wish someone would come up with some substantial rumors (even negative ones offering explanation) of the iTMS Canada.

HoserHead

Jun 15, 2004, 06:56 PM

Might there be a holdup based on wanting a certain amount of Canadian content?From reports, it didn't seem to stop Apple releasing in Europe.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no requirement that stores stock a certain percentage of Canadian content-that's only a broadcast requirement.

Squire

Jun 15, 2004, 08:51 PM

From reports, it didn't seem to stop Apple releasing in Europe.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no requirement that stores stock a certain percentage of Canadian content-that's only a broadcast requirement.

Yeah, I seem to recall reading that somewhere in the past. That makes it even more puzzling (and annoying) that iTMS is not available in Canada. I mean, they already have one Tragically Hip album (last I checked, anyway) on the US version. Throw a few more groups in there- ones that are not really popular in the US but fill arenas in Canada- and they're all set. They really wouldn't have to make many changes to the existing store. I really can't understand it. By the way, how does NAFTA fit into this? I thought it was a cinch to do business across the border.

Squire

jimjiminyjim

Jun 16, 2004, 09:36 AM

I think we Canadians are just being toyed with... so friendly, so easy-going, so willing to have the iTunes store.

"We are as frustrated as you with the fact that iTunes Music Store isn't yet available in Canada," the CMRRA recently told an AppleInsider correspondent who was researching the subject. "We would be delighted to see them here." The whole story, from April 19, at

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=429

noxes

Jun 16, 2004, 10:22 AM

Maybe the problem is the french canadian side of things, getting enough french music. God knows it would be easy as hell to translate iTMS Canada English to French.

Flynnstone

Jun 16, 2004, 11:35 AM

Anyone try puretracks.com?
Is there a way to convert wma's to mp3's?

noxes

Jun 16, 2004, 02:54 PM

Anyone try puretracks.com?
Is there a way to convert wma's to mp3's?

I used puretracks with VPC and a BigMac Coupon. Personally I didn't find cruising around it as nice as cruising the iTMS.

As for the DRM WMA I don't know any way to convert it to mp3 or other.

Codemonkey

Jun 21, 2004, 09:30 AM

You know, there's being beaten to the punch, and there's just not trying at all.
[SNIP]
Here's the standard warning for those of use with Macs:

"We value our Mac audience, however the Windows Media Player for the Mac platform is not currently compatible with Microsoft protected audio content. Bonfire is currently working to make our service available to Mac users."
[SNIP]
Oh well.

Yeah, and the frustrating side of this is they don't HAVE to be Windows-only. Protected WMAs can work on Mac. As a developer, this annoys the heck out of me, because I know it's not because it's impossible.

harzack86

Jun 21, 2004, 09:27 PM

Maybe the problem is the french canadian side of things, getting enough french music. God knows it would be easy as hell to translate iTMS Canada English to French.

It's already translated into French for the French store... This is no excuse. and for the significant amount of Canadian content into the store, there is already quite a lot on the US store, even if a lot of pple don't realize it ;-)
It's most likely a license issue like in any other countries... Be patient... It sucks, lol...

jimjiminyjim

Jul 1, 2004, 02:02 PM

Dr. Dastardly

Jul 7, 2004, 06:05 PM

Stupid iTunes Canada thread. Can we please delete this until further substantial rumors or announcements? Arn, please? It sits in the list, begging for attention, but never giving anything in return... Oh, the pain, the suffering... Please, please, please, banish this thread!
This thread won't die until Itunes hits Canada. Even if its deleted, another will just take its place. Its like a multi headed hydra...

or worse... Powerbook G5 thread. :eek:

dvdh

Jul 13, 2004, 03:36 PM

I've given up on waiting and move to vinyl instead. Afterall do we really expect that when we do get ITMS Canada, they will have stuff like Godspeed, Do Make Say Think, Silver Mount Zion, and other little known Canadian talent?

Although I may have to eat my words, as further inspection shows they DO HAVE: Broken Social Scene, the Weakerthans, Metric (now in LA). . . maybe there is hope.

Duff-Man

Jul 13, 2004, 06:21 PM

I've given up on waiting and move to vinyl instead. Afterall do we really expect that when we do get ITMS Canada, they will have stuff like Godspeed, Do Make Say Think, Silver Mount Zion, and other little known Canadian talent?Duff-Man says...well, that might depend on whether Constellation (in the cases you name) and the other indie labels want to be there......and perhaps when we see how the deal with the British/Euro indie labels finally turns out (rumour has them signing on shortly) that will be some incentive for our Canadian indies to get on board. But, wouldn't you miss the nice fancy cd packages Constellation always makes? ....oh yeah!

dvdh

Jul 14, 2004, 12:20 PM

I would definitely miss the package that Constellation makes. I think even they were offered on ITMS, I would still buy the LP. Somehow I expect it would be difficult to figure out a way to include a blueprint for a broken machine, smashed penny, litho of a train, and other little things in a download. . . .

Likewise, I would be surprised if Constellation was a willing participant in ITMS, unless of course, apple was willing to offer there material in lossless. From my experience most of Godspeed and Silver Mount Zion and does not benefit from any sort of compression.

There are other small time labels and artists in Canada that would greatly benefit from the expose that ITMS could give them, and I hope that they are carried (ie. Fred Eaglesmith for one or to speak more locally, Jacob Two Two and Black Boot Trio of Ottawa)

I guess that said, even just getting the store up and running with comparable content to the American counterpart (and better than puretracks) would be a great start. I trust, though, that Apple has this in the big plan.

Duff-Man

Jul 14, 2004, 01:01 PM

Duff-Man says...a bit off-topic, but still related to your posts...in case you were not aware, you can download some authorized live GYBE stuff from the Live Music Archive (http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php?cat=Godspeed%20You%20Black%20Emperor%21) - there are a few in there that are superb....oh yeah!

dvdh

Jul 14, 2004, 01:08 PM

Thanks, that's a great find.

Raid

Jul 19, 2004, 10:43 AM

I'm not sure if this is news, or if I'd be fanning the flames of a false rumor (but I'm posting it anyway). :D

I checked out the iPod on the Apple Canada store, and beside the laser engraving ad there is a gifft certificate for the iTMS being offered... Now is this a sign of hope for us, or is Apple just being cruel?

P.S. I do have a screen capture, but I can't post it right now. I'll try to post it tonight from home.

phantompigger

Jul 19, 2004, 10:47 AM

I saw that, too. I'm not going to read much into it, though, since I'm fairly confident that Apple Store for Canada is served from the US. The link wasn't clickable, either, so it's probably just an oversight.

Meh.

Codemonkey

Jul 19, 2004, 11:54 AM

Squire

Jul 19, 2004, 04:24 PM

I don't think the "canadastore" part is anything out of the ordinary, but the gift certificate sure gives me some hope. Is this new or has it always been there?

Squire

phantompigger

Jul 19, 2004, 04:32 PM

I don't think it means anything at all. The page is identical on the US Apple Store, complete with an unclickable Gift Certificate graphic.

Codemonkey

Jul 19, 2004, 05:31 PM

I don't think the "canadastore" part is anything out of the ordinary, but the gift certificate sure gives me some hope. Is this new or has it always been there?

Squire

No, you're not getting it, I just circled the fact that I was on the canadastore not the US store, just to save you from scanning through the url.

Rather than taking some random cap out of context.

peelo

Jul 19, 2004, 06:50 PM

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/72108/wo/SH5CTXQvZJvs2fZamOr1TsWHPf4/0.0.7.1.0.6.21.1.3.1.0.0.0.1.0

have a look at this link and tell me what's odd on the CANADA STORE page.....

Did you see an itunes gift certificate? I did...hmm....makes me dream of the day... :rolleyes: :confused:

Squire

Jul 19, 2004, 07:47 PM

No, you're not getting it, I just circled the fact that I was on the canadastore not the US store, just to save you from scanning through the url.

Rather than taking some random cap out of context.

Well, in that case, thanks for saving me from scanning through the URL. ;)

I'm sure we'll get the iTMS eventually. I'm just wondering how high on Apple's list of "Things To Do" we are. You would think Canada and Australia/New Zealand would be next, or at least coming pretty soon. (I suppose those 127 million people living in Japan might be a lucrative market as well.)

Squire

Codemonkey

Jul 19, 2004, 11:21 PM

Well, in that case, thanks for saving me from scanning through the URL. ;)

I'm sure we'll get the iTMS eventually. I'm just wondering how high on Apple's list of "Things To Do" we are. You would think Canada and Australia/New Zealand would be next, or at least coming pretty soon. (I suppose those 127 million people living in Japan might be a lucrative market as well.)

Squire

You're welcome then! :-P

Yeah, I would hope Canada is at least on their radar. It's painful sometimes to sit and wait for a company to realize that we're a viable market. The way it was explained to me once was: would any US company just outright ignore the state of California? Of course not. But even though our populations are similar, Canada always seems to be less of a priority.

As one comic put it: maybe they're just ticked off 'cause their leader is finally dumber than ours. :D

I know iTMS would be an addiction for me. I work on a crap PC during the day and have found myself downloading Puretracks.com songs on a whim. AND that's after despising their DRM, their single-platform mentality and their crap music collection. LOL

Viv

Jul 20, 2004, 09:51 AM

I think what bites the hardest is two days after ITms for the UK opened I moved to Canada!

Damn:-)

Viv

MacinDoc

Jul 20, 2004, 11:05 AM

Come on, Apple, I've ordered that shiny new 4G iPod, now I need some tunes for it! :rolleyes:

Codemonkey

Jul 20, 2004, 11:30 AM

Come on, Apple, I've ordered that shiny new 4G iPod, now I need some tunes for it! :rolleyes:

Congratulations!

I truly am envious. Any toys like that end up getting backburnered, it seems. Trying to pick up some web contracts on the side to pay for my gadgets. :-)

I'm debating though - should I pay a premium to get a new 4G iPod, or keep an eye out for someone blowing out 3G iPods...

Edit: LOL I just peeked at your public profile. Must be nice... :-P

agentkow

Jul 21, 2004, 04:43 PM

Stupid iTunes Canada thread. Can we please delete this until further substantial rumors or announcements? Arn, please? It sits in the list, begging for attention, but never giving anything in return... Oh, the pain, the suffering... Please, please, please, banish this thread!

I'm just really looking forward to iTunes Canada.

And also really looking forward to this person's face when they see that this thread is still alive.

Squire

Jul 21, 2004, 05:14 PM

Yeah, I got an email from Apple showing off some new stuff in the music store. They had an exclusive acoustic Pearl Jam double-album that sounded great.

Maybe I should work on getting a US credit card.

Squire

jimjiminyjim

Jul 21, 2004, 06:39 PM

I'm just really looking forward to iTunes Canada.

And also really looking forward to this person's face when they see that this thread is still alive.

I'm looking forward to iTunes Canada too. If I'd have realized what I was going to read in your post, I'd have set my camera to take a picture. Alas, you missed it.

And, to be honest, I'm over that outburst. You know the cycle of acceptance. Once you get over the denial that iTunes Canada isn't here yet, then there is the sadness and anger over that fact. I've gotten through that, and am even allowing the posted pics to give me a glimmer of hope. It's a rather weak glimmer... but it's something. Send me a message when you buy your first iTunes Canada song.

Raid

Jul 21, 2004, 11:15 PM

It seems the iTMS gift certificate has dissappeared from the Canadian iPod Store page (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/71403/wo/UI6Olzyzoh4U3bL2LeTRfLDtTX0/0.0.7.1.0.6.21.1.3.1.0.0.0.1.0) :(

Dare I fan the flames again to say that this was a pre-release error? :)

I really want to believe that the Canadian iTMS is coming soon, but the skeptic in me is saying I'd only be kidding myself. It was more likely a copy and paste error from the US site. :(

phantompigger

Jul 22, 2004, 07:47 AM

jimjiminyjim

Jul 25, 2004, 12:44 PM

As I mentioned before, the US Apple Store site has the exact same graphic as the Canadian Apple Store, and it is also unclickable. It was just an oversight; the two pages are obviously based on the same template.

Now that Apple has gone in and removed the graphic from the Canadian Apple Store, I think it's apparent that it was just a simple mistake and not a portend of a pending announcement.

Which is really too bad.

Darn rights it's too bad! We're clamoring over it... begging, keeping this ridiculous thread on the MacRumors front page by refusing to stop posting. If only all of you would stop posting!

Oh...
wait...

This post is going to bring it to the top of this list again... meaning it will be here for another week or so.... oh well.... iTunes Canada, JUNE 15TH, 2009!

agentkow

Jul 28, 2004, 01:41 PM

"The Globe and Mail reports that the iTunes Music Store may be available to Canadian users as early as this Fall, after the CRIA" completes negotiations to set up a framework for paying music publishers and composers whose music is downloaded on pay-for-play system. That will allow Canadian-based services to start operations, he said, and allow U.S. systems such as Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes 'music store' to expand into Canada."

Crap, then I realized that this article is from Monday, July 14, 2003.

That was a YEAR ago. This is the future, it should be possible by now.

Where's my flying car?

agentkow

Jul 30, 2004, 05:42 PM

Had to keep this thread near the top of the list for the long weekend.

Those of you are not directly affected by a Canadian iTunes Music Store may not know why its a long weekend, though.

peelo

Aug 2, 2004, 02:55 PM

There is ONE way:

Go to ebay, look for someone that sells US iTunes gift certificate. Purchase one for any amount.

Once you redeem your credits, you can now purchase, with a fake US address, from the iTunes music store. I personally did it.

There you go, enjoy!

Note: Don't forget! The exchange rate is still 73%!

Raid

Aug 4, 2004, 11:58 AM

Hmm, saw this interesting article from Macnn (http://www.macnn.com/news/25718).
E-Data Corporation today announced that a world-wide agreement for past and future royalties has been reached with Apple for a license under E-Data's European patent EP 0 195 098 B-1, also known as "the Freeny patent," and its counterpart patent in Canada. The Freeny patent covers the downloading and recording of information, such as music, from a computer onto a tangible object, such as CDs, DVDs and MP3 players. The company says the iTunes platform enables Apple customers to download individual music tracks for a fee via the iTunes Music Store, charging that the software infringed on its 20-year old patent.
Maybe this is one reason why we haven't seen a Canadian iTMS yet. Now that it's settled maybe Apple can advance it's plans for a Canadian iTMS opening! :)

It could be wishful thinking, but I'm getting a little impatient, I've been peeping at the puretracks sight, but haven't bought anything there...yet. I've been holding out for the Canadian iTMS, but I don't know if I can wait much longer. :o :(

fartheststar

Aug 4, 2004, 12:38 PM

It could be wishful thinking, but I'm getting a little impatient, I've been peeping at the puretracks sight, but haven't bought anything there...yet. I've been holding out for the Canadian iTMS, but I don't know if I can wait much longer. :o :(

That site doesn't work with Macs. I bought a big mac which led me to that site, and they said that it won't work with the mac. I think they sell encrypted WMA files which you can't play on a mac or iPod.

GO iTunes Canada GO!

B. McKechnie

Aug 11, 2004, 08:39 PM

Do you need a U.S. billing address and credit card on file in order to use a gift certificate or prepaid card?

I notice that I cannot even download the free song without a credit card on file (which I can't add even with a fake U.S. address).

agentkow

Aug 11, 2004, 09:57 PM

And to think I was just today getting worried about this thread getting too low on the front page list!

Well, at least it's nice to see someone else being the one to put it back up to the top for the next few weeks.

iMeowbot

Aug 11, 2004, 11:19 PM

By the way, how does NAFTA fit into this? I thought it was a cinch to do business across the border.
(answering a wee bit late, but this thread keeps bumping up, and...)

The simple fact is that NAFTA has an exemption for "cultural" products, and that it is extremely risky for a US-owned company to offer media products in Canada. Time-Warner had its Sports Illustrated franchise banned from Canada after a locally-owned publisher asked the government to do so in order to favor its copy. The same happened to the Country Music Television network.

In brief, a Canadian-owned company can clone iTMS and apply to have Apple's version banned from the country at any time. Therefore there will be a lot more involved than securing music licenses; there is also a need to make business arrangements to thwart having the business essentially nationalized.

I do understand why Canada has these loopholes, there is a relatively small population trying very hard to maintain its own identity (or really, identities) while living next door to a country with the same language (for most) and disproportionate influence. Like all forms of protectionism, there are good and bad aspects. One of the bad parts is that a smaller market with higher barriers becomes a lower priority for foreign investors than larger markets that are easier and safer to enter.

I'm sure that Apple will be there as soon as they have the red tape untangled.

Squire

Aug 11, 2004, 11:26 PM

Thanks for the informative post, iMeowbot. That information seems to ring a bell now.

How about this question: Is there a certain percentage of inventory in a record store that must be Canadian content? If so, could the iTMS simply have the same percentages and be done with it? Basically I'm asking how iTMS differs from, say, HMV or Tower Records.

Squire

iMeowbot

Aug 11, 2004, 11:52 PM

Well, HMV is a UK company, so it doesn't embody the threat of Yankee imperialism, even if it does carry the same old stuff =) In the case of Tower Records, the Canadian stores are run under franchise by a sort-of-separate company based in Toronto.

The SI example was kind of like the Tower arrangement. The publisher for the Canadian edition was based in Montreal, and purchasing most of its content from Time via a satellite feed. As you can see, this bears a strong resemblance to iTMS distribution. The government in Canada slapped an 80% tax on all the magazine's ad revenue, effectively putting it out of business. The rationale was that it contained less than 80% local content.

Years after SI Canada was successfully destroyed, those particular restrictions were found to be in violation of GATT. That doesn't necessarily mean that iTunes is free of worries, but at least the rules are a bit clearer now. Apple do need to take care to set up ownership details, catalog and distribution methods in just the right way.

agentkow

Aug 17, 2004, 07:09 PM

At this point I would even settle for a Canadian version of the Real music service.

agentkow

Aug 17, 2004, 07:10 PM

Wait a second, no I wouldn't.

B. McKechnie

Aug 17, 2004, 08:44 PM

I have found PureTracks.com to be a nice substitute for the time being. You must burn the WMA files to CD then rip them through iTunes but it works and they are Canadian (it works on a PC but I have not tried on an Apple). I actually use the Sympatico Music Store (which is powered by PureTracks.com like the Future Shop Music Store is) because Sympatico members get a discount.

As for the Canadian content rule - look through the iTMS - there is a ton of Canadian content. Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Nickleback, Nelly Furtado, Tragically Hip, Metric, The Guess Who, etc., etc. I wonder if they can even download their own songs!

agentkow

Aug 17, 2004, 09:11 PM

It was mentioned in another forum or maybe another page of this thread that the Canadian Content law is only for broadcast and stuff, but does not carry over into retail, by the way.

Codemonkey

Aug 17, 2004, 10:05 PM

I have found PureTracks.com to be a nice substitute for the time being.

+1 on Puretracks.com substitute. I've been indulging in my downloadable music cravings for about 2 months now (sounds like a recovering addict falling off the wagon, I know) and between some plugins and freeware for XP, converting songs is manageable.

agentkow

Aug 19, 2004, 03:19 PM

Japan within a year?

Australia within a month?

Canada within ________?

jimjiminyjim

Aug 19, 2004, 04:14 PM

a decade.

Viv

Aug 19, 2004, 10:00 PM

Oh come on Apple look I just got my new credit card today, you want the money come to Canada:-)

Viv

mattthemutt

Aug 20, 2004, 07:13 AM

If they launch iTMS Canada, would they have a big sorta opening thing like they did in London, where Steve announced the opening of iTMS in England, France and Germany?

Raid

Aug 23, 2004, 10:58 AM

If they launch iTMS Canada, would they have a big sorta opening thing like they did in London, where Steve announced the opening of iTMS in England, France and Germany?

At this point I'm more inclined to say that they will just mention it in passing in thier "Hot news" link. :( I wonder if we can get any offical response as to when it would open... Personaly I don't care if there is big hype surrounding the opening (all though it's good marketing), I just want my Canadian iTMS.

Maybe we can get Dire Straights to rework their MTV song
.... I want my
I want my iTMS...

hmmm it would need a lot of rework... :)

Viv

Aug 27, 2004, 05:33 PM

So any bets for something being anounced next week in Paris about ITMS for Canada?

It must be soon?

Viv

jimjiminyjim

Aug 27, 2004, 06:09 PM

Seeming as it's hosted in Paris... no. If the rumors for iTunes in other countries are still so far away, I don't see a country with our relatively small user base seeing iTunes anytime soon. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Canuck

Aug 30, 2004, 09:02 AM

How about this question: Is there a certain percentage of inventory in a record store that must be Canadian content? If so, could the iTMS simply have the same percentages and be done with it? Basically I'm asking how iTMS differs from, say, HMV or Tower Records.
Squire[/QUOTE]

My guess is the CRTC will demand Canadians buy 30% Canadian. Wonderful I'll have to buy three Gordon Lightfoot tunes to get the seven tunes I actually want. Then I'll discover one of the canadian tunes must be in french.

Jim_N_Tonik

Aug 30, 2004, 10:11 PM

My guess is the CRTC will demand Canadians buy 30% Canadian. Wonderful I'll have to buy three Gordon Lightfoot tunes to get the seven tunes I actually want. Then I'll discover one of the canadian tunes must be in french.

I don't really see how this is enforcable at all, so I hope your'e kidding.

I'm sorry to agree with some of the above posters, but I doubt that we'll be seeing any iTunes action in Canada for quite some time -- we're a small market that has basically already embraced piracy.

Duff-Man

Sep 9, 2004, 09:07 PM

I don't really see how this is enforcable at all, so I hope your'e kidding.

I'm sorry to agree with some of the above posters, but I doubt that we'll be seeing any iTunes action in Canada for quite some time -- we're a small market that has basically already embraced piracy.Duff-Man says....I think he is definitely kidding...actually sounded a lot like something I might have said!

Not exactly the most reputable source (to be polite) but today MacOSRumors says:*New advertising campaign, reports from Canadian music industry sources suggest iTunes Music Store may be at long last available in Canada by year's end. The grapevine believes an announcement could come as soon as Steve Jobs returns to full-time onsite work in Cupertino.... As I said...it is from MOSR and as such should be taken for what that is worth....oh yeah!

Inkmonkey

Sep 10, 2004, 04:28 PM

I don't believe Canada is even on the radar for iTunes. Apple has some bigger fish to fry in the downloads market. And maybe they think since it's legal to download from P2P sites that Canadians might not embrace a service where you pay.

jimjiminyjim

Sep 14, 2004, 07:44 PM

I think Canadians will embrace iTunes downloads. It's not about it being legal to download, it's about easy access to consistently good quality and ethically obtained music.

MacinDoc

Sep 14, 2004, 09:43 PM

I think Canadians will embrace iTunes downloads. It's not about it being legal to download, it's about easy access to consistently good quality and ethically obtained music.
I know I would.

Jim_N_Tonik

Sep 16, 2004, 08:18 AM

I think Canadians will embrace iTunes downloads. It's not about it being legal to download, it's about easy access to consistently good quality and ethically obtained music.

The only reason you'd say "ethically" is if you were ignoring the media tax we're already paying -- unless you like to pay the record companies twice for the music you buy? And note I'm saying the record companies and not the artist.

I actually think it'd be better to copy your friends CD and send a couple bucks directly to the artist than to buy music off of iTunes at the moment (in Canada, not legal elsewhere that I'm aware of) because you're sending the money to the artist instead of the label.

Of course I have no problems with iTunes, and would love to see it grow, but the biggest thing I want to see happen is artists getting the money they deserve -- this probably won't happen while the labels are getting such a big cut. iTunes is a great opportunity for this to happen, and this is why I want to see it in Canada :)

Anyway, please don't bring up the "ethics" question -- in the States you can play that card if you want, but in Canada the argument holds no water.

- Jim

jimjiminyjim

Sep 16, 2004, 02:38 PM

I don't pay the tax. I don't buy CD's. I don't buy tapes.

Jim_N_Tonik

Sep 17, 2004, 09:03 AM

What about Harddrives? Check the apple store when you're buying an iPod.

I haven't bought one for a while now, so I'm not sure if the tax is on all harddrives yet, but it will be. The labels are getting their money, don't worry about them -- worry about the artists.

jimjiminyjim

Sep 17, 2004, 03:58 PM

While I don't have an iPod or other portable hard drive either, I can see your point. I also whole-heartedly agree that it would be much better to send our money direct to the artist, rather than through the record companies. Of course, to be fair, record companies pump millions of dollars into advertising and getting us psyched about various albums and artists. They have worked for some of the money... just not quite as much as they take.

Jim_N_Tonik

Sep 18, 2004, 07:49 AM

I agree with you.

The only thing I want to add is that I wasn't only talking about portable harddrives -- the media tax will supposedly include all harddrives eventually.

The record companies do earn a lot of their money -- the thing I find funny is that they spend most of their time promoting songs I don't listen to, and the bands that I do listen to get left on the back burner :)

I'm hoping that iTunes (possibly coupled with something like www.audioscrobbler.com for publicity) will eventually replace the current system.

- Jim

agentkow

Sep 29, 2004, 11:54 AM

BERLIN, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Apple Computer (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is planning the next wave of expansion for its popular iTunes online music store with a multi-country European launch in October, the service's chief architect said on Wednesday.

"We are well on pace to launch more EU stores. We will do it next month," Eddie Cue, Apple's vice president of applications told music executives at the annual Popkomm conference in the German capital.

In typical Apple style, the computer maker gave scant details of the hotly anticipated launch. He told reporters on the sidelines it would likely include more than five new countries in the next wave of stores.

"It will cover a good portion of Western Europe," he said of the launch, but declined to elaborate.

havok416

Oct 7, 2004, 10:18 PM

im_noahselby

Oct 8, 2004, 07:03 AM

I just noticed that the "Switch" tab that has been on the Apple Canada website forever has finally been replaced with "iPod+iTunes" (the French version still says "Switch"). This could be another indicater that iTMS is finally coming to Canada. Either that or I have WAY too much time on my hands :rolleyes:

It's been like that for like a month now, I believe. I noticed that too, but I don't believe it's an indication of the ITMS coming to Canada. That "switch" tab was already waaay past its expiry date, and Apple changing the tab to "iPod+iTunes" only makes logical sense.

Noah